Constipation – Homeopathic Treatment
Victor Tsan, CHP, is the founder of the Philadelphia Holistic Clinic. Victor Tsan began his medical career when he graduated with honors from the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Moldova, USSR in the spring of 1976. After this initial success, Victor pursued his first internship in Psychotherapy at 1st... more
Treatment for constipation is usually palliative in western medicine. Constipation sometimes resolves itself without the need for prescription treatment. In most cases, making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, eating more fiber, and drinking more water can help. Allowing time for defecation, without stress or interruption, may also help. People should also not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
Medications for Constipation
Medications for constipation are one of the most common treatments for constipation. Some are over-the-counter treatments, and others need a doctor’s prescription. Listed below are medicines for constipation:
- Lactulose (Cephulac, Constulose, Duphalac, Enulose, Kristalose). This drug is osmotic and draws water into the bowel to soften and loosen the stool. Side effects include gas, diarrhea, upset stomach, and stomach cramps.
- Linaclotide (Linzess). This is a capsule you take once a day. It’s used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Linaclotide may ease your constipation by drawing water into your intestines, so stools pass more easily, and helps bowel movements happen more often. The most common side effect is diarrhea. Doctors may suggest it if other treatments don’t work.
- Lubiprostone (Amitiza). Your doctor may suggest this drug if you have chronic constipation or constipation brought on by opioids. It’s also used to treat IBS-C (which means that constipation is the main symptom) in women. The drug softens the stool by putting more water into it, so the stool can pass easily. You take this medicine twice a day with food. Some possible side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
- Plecanatide (Trulance). It’s a tablet you take once a day. It helps your body make fluids in your intestines, which helps your stool move through the bowel. Your doctor may suggest it if your other treatments aren’t working. The drug is made specifically for people who have chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and IBS-C. Diarrhea is one of the possible side effects.
Enema for Constipation
This is another type of treatment for constipation. Enema for constipation is rectal injections of fluid intended to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of your bowel. They have been used for hundreds of years to treat chronic constipation and prepare people for certain medical tests and surgeries. Enemas for constipation can be administered by a medical professional or self-administered at home. Enemas for constipation appear to be most effective when used to relieve chronic constipation in a medical setting, though they come with many risks, especially when self-administered at home.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in the United States, affecting around 2.5 million people. Generally, a person is considered constipated when they have fewer than three bowel movements a week, or their stool is difficult to pass. In total, about 16 percent of the population experience constipation symptoms, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
While constipation is uncomfortable (and sometimes distressing), it’s considered a symptom rather than a disease in itself. It’s also important to know that normal bowel habits can differ from person to person some people may pass stool three times a day; others three times a week. Constipation is a medical disorder when an individual experiences difficulty in draining the intestines, frequently accompanying rock-solid feces.
Consequently being constipated stays for the problem of bowel movements, which occur not regularly and less often than once a day. Practically, each suffers from constipation once or several times in life. The frequent interval in the middle of bowel movements differs extensively from individual to individual. Some patients perform bowel movements few times every 24 hours while others are draining their intestines only two-three times a week.
The daily interval in bowel movements is adapted as normal by physicians and scientists. However, every other day may also be considered as normal as long as an individual does not complain about discomfort in the stomach area. Any interval between bowel movements, which is elongated for more than two days considered constipation because feces turn out to be harder and harder to move through the GI passages.
What Causes Constipation?
Constipation happens when bowel movements become less recurrent and feces becomes hard to pass. It happens most often due to changes in diet or routine, or due to inadequate fiber intake. You should call your doctor if you experience severe pain, bloody stools, or constipation that lasts longer than three weeks.
Etiology and pathogenesis of constipation:
- Consumption of some antacids that consist of calcium or aluminum, narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills;
- Modifications of the regular diet, changing of geographical location, of a quality of drinking water, etc;
- Excessive consumption of dairy products;
- IBS;
- Some major general diseases:
- Parkinson’s disease;
- Stroke;
- Heart failure;
- Chronic kidney conditions;
- Multiple sclerosis;
- Hypothyroidism;
- Insufficient daily physical activities;
- Insufficient amount of water or fibers consumed per day;
- Abuse of laxatives;
- Paying no attention to the urge when it happens causes the feces to move back up to the intestine
- Gravidity;
- Emotional Tension.
The following are the common causes of constipation:
Unhealthy diet
Constipation can be due to a diet that doesn’t include enough water and fiber, both of which help the bowels move as they should. People who eat lots of processed foods, cheeses, white bread and bagels, and meats may find they’re constipated often. A healthier diet that includes high-fiber foods (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) can keep the stool from getting hard and dry.
Not enough exercise
Moving around helps food move through the digestive system. So, not getting enough physical activity can contribute to constipation.
Stress
People can get constipated when they’re anxious about something, like a life change or a problem at home. Stress can affect how the digestive system works and can cause constipation, as well as other conditions, like diarrhea.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A person with IBS may have either constipation or diarrhea, as well as stomach pain.
Ignoring the natural urge
Avoiding going to the bathroom, even when you really have the urge to go, can cause constipation. When you ignore the urge to go, it can be harder to go later on.
Certain medications
Certain medications can also increase the risk of constipation. These include:
- Opioid pain relief drugs: These include codeine (present with acetaminophen in Tylenol #3), oxycodone (OxyContin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
- Tricyclic antidepressants: These include amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil).
- Certain anticonvulsants: Examples include phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).
- Calcium channel blockers: These lower blood pressure, and certain types lower heart rate. They include diltiazem (Cardizem) and nifedipine (Procardia).
- Antacids that contain aluminum: These include Amphojel and Basaljel.
- Diuretics: These remove excess fluid from the body. They include hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) and furosemide (Lasix).
Colorectal problems
Some health conditions that affect the colon can impede and restrict the passage of stool, leading to constipation.
Examples of such conditions include:
- Cancerous tumors
- Hernia
- Scar tissue
- Diverticulitis
- Colorectal stricture, which is an abnormal narrowing of the colon or rectum
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
In rare cases, constipation is a sign of other medical illnesses. Call your doctor if you continue to have problems, or if constipation lasts for 2 to 3 weeks.
Symptoms of Constipation
An individual may exhibit a broad range of symptoms of constipation depending on his or her bowel habits, diet, and age.
Listed below are the common symptoms of constipation:
- Difficulty in starting or completing a bowel movement;
- Infrequent and difficult passage of stool;
- Passing hard stool after prolonged straining;
- Lumpy, dry, or hard stools;
- Stools that are hard or painful to pass;
- Feeling as though there’s a blockage in your rectum that keeps you from having bowel movements;
- Feeling as though you can’t completely empty your stool;
- Needing help to empty your rectum, whether by pressing with your hands on your abdomen or using a finger to remove the stool;
- Irregular bowel movements;
- Elongation of the interval between bowel movements;
- Difficulties to perform a bowel movement;
- Firm, solid, dense, and compact feces;
- A sensation that the sigmoid and rectum aren’t empty;
- Stomach full of gasses with heaviness and discomfort;
- Sometimes nausea and even vomiting.
Other symptoms of constipation include:
- Pain and cramping in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Nausea
- A loss of appetite
Note: Constipation is considered to be chronic if you’ve experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.
Natural Treatment for Constipation
Natural treatment for constipation is one of the most effective types of treatment for constipation that causes no side effects and lots of people are looking into this type of treatment. Home remedies for constipation are natural remedies for constipation that can be done at the comfort of your home. They cause no side effects and are highly effective.
Drink more water
- Being dehydrated regularly can make a person constipated. To prevent this, it is important to drink enough water and stay hydrated. When a person is constipated, they might find relief from drinking some carbonated (sparkling) water. This can help them rehydrate and get things moving again.
Diet changes
Diet for constipation is another home remedy for constipation that can help ease symptoms of constipation. To treat constipation, doctors often tell people to increase their dietary fiber intake. This is because increasing fiber intake increases the bulk and consistency of bowel movements, making them easier to pass. It also helps them pass through the digestive system more quickly.
Good sources of fiber include:
- Whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals;
- Legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas;
- Fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears;
- Vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, green peas, and collard greens;
- Nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, and pecans.
Diet for Constipation
To help prevent or relieve constipation, avoid foods with little to no fiber, such as
- Chips
- Fast food
- Meat
- Prepared foods
- Processed foods
Acupuncture for Constipation
Acupuncture for constipation is a natural remedy for constipation that can help reduce the symptoms of constipation. According to TCM philosophy, acupuncture promotes peristalsis, the movement of your intestinal muscles. This helps move stool through your digestive system. The practice also activates the vagus nerve, which is involved in healthy digestive function. The vagus nerve sends signals between your brain and digestive system.
Additionally, according to a 2019 study, acupuncture for constipation increases endorphins. This relaxes muscles and reduces stress, which is helpful if your constipation symptoms are due to stress.
Herbs for Constipation
Herbs for constipation are natural remedies for constipation that are effective and provide super-fast relief for your constipation issues. Listed below are effective herbs for constipation:
Alfalfa
- Alfalfa is a wonderful herb loaded with vitamin K. The latter vitamin promotes the production of healthy bacteria inside the intestinal tract that help in breaking foods down so that they can be more readily assimilated. This herb for constipation also has a high level of chlorophyll which helps boost the immune system and promotes faster healing. What is really nice about this herbal treatment is that it is loaded with all-natural fiber: a common remedy for constipation. This herb has anti-inflammatory agents which can help to soothe irritated intestinal tissues. Finally, Alfalfa is also an herb that is filled with a number of vitamins that offer antioxidants which help in destroying cancer-causing free radicals in the body too.
Calendula
- Calendula, also identified under the common name Marigold, has been a long revered constipation treatment. A tincture made from this herb can be stirred into a cup of water and consumed three times daily for constipation relief. Calendula is also wonderful as tea and works well in soothing issues related to stomach ailments. A single teaspoon of dried Calendula leaves can be steeped in hot water for a few minutes and consumed for hard stool relief. As a natural anti-inflammatory, this herb can be safely consumed in order to alleviate irritated tissues in the digestive tract too.
Lemon Balm
- If you are having constipation and cramping, you can take Lemon Balm to alleviate the cramping; this herb for constipation is an all-natural antispasmodic herbal treatment. Lemon Balm has been used for many years to treat issues with gas, flatulence, bloating, and abdominal cramping and it helps to naturally relax the digestive tract. This herb can be easily consumed as tea by steeping some leaves in a hot cup of water.
Homeopathic Remedies for Constipation
Homeopathic medicine is another form of natural treatment for constipation that is extremely effective in patients of all age groups. Acute as well as chronic cases of constipation are known to respond wonderfully well to Homeopathic treatment.
Homeopathic remedies for constipation help improve bowel motility. In fact, they even treat conditions such as piles and anal fissures arising from long-term constipation. These medicines are natural and safe from adverse side effects. Listed below are the most common homeopathic remedies for constipation:
- For constipation with a hard, dry stool that passes in lump form, Bryonia Alba is considered one of the best medicines for constipation.
- The typical Bryonia feces are oversized, solid, dehydrated. This stool looks as if it is cooked and burned. Physicians from all Medical schools are familiar with this form of constipation.
- Bryonia’s fecal impaction resulted from aridness, and these patients report the absence of desire and urge for defecation.
- Alumina is another well-known name on the long list of homeopathic remedies for constipation. A guiding feature for the use of Alumina is the absence of the urge to pass stool for days together. The person needing Alumina will go days without passing stool.
- Lycopodium Clavatum works wonders in cases where constipation is attended with flatulence and a bloated abdomen. Lycopodium Clavatum is also the most helpful homeopathic remedy for constipation in elderly people.
- The tongue has a very distinct look in the case that requires Nux Vomica. It is clean with a dull yellowish coating at the root. The constitutional type of person for Nux is a man with a vigorous and aggressive temper, who usually consumes more than the average amount of alcohol, and who experiences a deterioration of symptoms after drinking.
- The emotional signs of Nux Vomica are essential in healing constipation because constipation is the result of an emotional disturbance in some individuals and this is a well-known fact. In cases of illness that require Nux vomica experienced homeopaths will observe signs of crankiness, irascibility, and forcefulness. The feces similar to this remedy are large, and Nux Vomica patients often complain about hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding.
- Hydrastis is an alternative medicine that is sometimes beneficial after the mistreatment with enemas, emetics, cathartics, and similar approaches. In all these cases, however, the symptoms calling for the particular drug should be present.
- Carbo Vegetabilis urges for defecation are due to gas in the intestine and colon.
- Anacardium is similar to Nux Vomica by several means. Anacardium manifests with a feeling of a plug that obstructs the rectum and can’t be ejected. Even lenient feces are evacuated with strain and sweat. Minor amounts of stool may be discharged with individual effort.
- In Sulphur patients, there are unsuccessful calls to defecation, with a feeling of high temperature and heaviness in the rectum.
- The feces in Sulphur cases are solid, dense, dark, dehydrated. The defecation is painful with straining and the initial effort is enormously hurting.
- Sulfur patients experience general venous symptoms (varicose, edema, hemorrhoid, etc.), and any activities that stimulate blood circulation usually make this patient feel better. That’s why Sulphur patients never stay or sit still. They always move to push blood through the body.
- Opium type of constipation is due to complete failure to act of both the intestine and colon, which we can call a paralysis of the vermiculation movements. Opium patients often can’t perform bowel movements and may have no urge to do it. As a result, stool stays in the intestine for a long time and when finally it comes out it is small, solid, dense, and dehydrated. That’s why surgeons from modern schools administer Opium in therapeutic doses to patients after rectal surgery to prevent acts of defecation.
- This is one of the best and most useful homeopathic drugs for constipation.
- This individual may have days without bowel movements, and when the defecation finally happens, the feces contain tiny round globes, composed of pieces of phlegm. A patient experiences severe discomfort during stool, in arrears of the fissures, which are also typical for Graphites.
- When unproductive expulsive potency of the sigmoid and rectum and a spasm of the sphincter cause constipation, Silicea is the homeopathic choice number one. A very common symptom of Silicea is the condition when due to sudden spasm of the sphincter it unexpectedly constricts and the incompletely ejected feces go back.
- This is another famous remedy for constipation treatment. The specific symptoms for the Veratrum album are unconditional atony of the GI tract similar to Opium and Bryonia. The pieces of stool compound in large units.
- Due to severe atony feces must be taken out by either enema or worst case scenario surgical intervention. The feces are outsized, firm, solid, dense, and dark brown or almost black.
Conclusion
Homeopathic medicine is a unique philosophical and medical approach, which centers on symptoms, a combination of those, and the constitutional properties of each particular patient. There are no universal medicines for either constipation or any other medical disorder. The administering of the drugs always hinges on specific signs of the ailment in a particular clinical case or on the relevant aspects of the illness.
Homeopathic medicine proposes encouraging treatment for constipation. This disorder usually outcomes from different constitutional glitches:
- Chronic emotional tension;
- Hereditary biasing;
- Changed sleep arrangement.
That’s why many clinical cases of constipation require no pharmaceutical drugs and just lifestyle and diet alterations instead. Compared to pharmaceutical medicines for constipation, homeopathic remedies do not lead to addiction and dependency, and what is even more important – homeopathic remedies do not heal, they cure.
If you want to stop suffering from constipation, contact Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic and book an appointment with Dr. Tsan to discuss your best treatment options.